Auto Bits: 5 tips for a mobile man cave that rivals home

Monday

Nov 5, 2018 at 9:53 AMNov 5, 2018 at 9:53 AM

Tip of the Week

It’s football time, and many Americans are making the annual pilgrimage to man caves forged in living rooms, basements or garages. There, fans hunker down for hours in the extreme comforts of recliners, snacks and drinks, and of course, mega-sized TV screens.

Yet for others, the football experience is superior outside the stadium at tailgating gatherings with family and friends. After all, tailgating is an American tradition with roots dating back to the Civil War and the First Battle of Bull Run, according to the American Tailgaters Association.

The tailgate party has evolved significantly since then, and now football fans can further power-up their tailgating experience to create a “mobile man cave” that rivals the comforts of home.

An offensive line — of vehicles

A big tailgate party does not require a big vehicle. While a hatchback or pickup truck is certainly a plus, most important is to have the wheels that can deliver the goods. Tailgaters can team up by lining up a caravan of cars for a multi-stationed tailgate. This game plan can help tailgaters distribute the load of goods and equipment needed to make the mobile man cave a fan cave that’s comfortable for all.

Put in the QB of TVs

A TV is vital for the tailgating entertainment. There are many options for outdoor TVs that provide great pictures even in the sun’s glare and in extreme temperatures. Tailgaters also have plenty of choices for receiving a great picture, from portable satellite dishes or services to digital streaming or even old-fashioned rabbit ear antennas. Be sure to test out the picture in advance so it is ready to go come kick-off.

The cook’s playbook

Great food makes for great tailgates. Beyond the staples of chips and burgers and beers, tailgaters can step outside the regular playbook and bring new recipes. Look for inventive recipes easy to make in crockpots — mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, anyone? — or bring along a deep fryer for a new take on deviled eggs.

No place like dome

When it comes to football season, the weather is always a factor — but tailgaters should not let a little inclement weather derail the event. Primarily, be prepared with the right gear to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable. A canopy is always recommended to provide a “dome-like” feel, while cooling fans and portable heaters will be welcomed for climate control.

Linebacker-like power

The most critical factor of all in making a powered-up tailgate is the power source itself. That’s where a generator like the Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator from Northern Tool + Equipment comes in. A generator can serve as a quiet, mobile, linebacker-strong and safe power source that can plug in all the tailgating needs to make sure the TV, food, heat and more are running.

— Brandpoint

The ListWhile it may be tempting to buy a teen a brand new, cute and small vehicle, According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety those cars put teen drivers at higher risk than an older, larger vehicle. Recently the organization conducted a pair of front-to-front crash tests demonstrating what happens to small cars and minicars when they collide with larger used vehicles from the same manufacturer. The results show the importance of size and weight when it comes to occupant protection. Their annual list of recommended used vehicles for teen drivers take crash test results into account, and all models have standard technology that can help keep teens out of crashes.

The tests reinforce a message IIHS has been sending since it began publishing an annual list of recommended used vehicles for teens in 2014: An older, larger used vehicle is often a safer choice than a newer small vehicle that costs the same.

The list of recommended vehicles can be found at https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens

Did you knowAAA has started a new partnership with ride-hailing service Lyft to offer free rides to its members to and from select AAA Car Care Centers.The program is currently only operating in Maryland and certain cities in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. While AAA had previously offered customers complimentary shuttle rides to their destinations, it said the new program is in response to demand from members for access to quick, hassle-free transportation.

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